Columbus, Ohio – Debbie Black, in her first season as an assistant coach with the Ohio State women’s basketball team, will be honored by the Connecticut Sun of the Women’s National Basketball Association Sunday, when the Sun plays host to Washington at the in Uncasville, Conn. Black concluded her career with the Sun in April after playing with two other WNBA squads and one franchise in the American Basketball League. She also spent eight seasons as a player overseas.

The Sun has coined Sunday as “Debbie Black Day” and will pass out Black’s trading cards to all fans in attendance. Prior to the game, Black will conduct a basketball clinic for children, and after the game, the Sun will have a reception, where all of Black’s past professional coaches will gather and congratulate her.

“It is unbelievable they are doing this for me,” Black said. “This day provides closure for me after playing for so many years. I am thankful the Sun gave me an opportunity to thank the fans. They are a class organization that I will always consider myself a part of.”

In the all-time WNBA records book, Black retired ranked No. 8 in career steals (315) and tied for 10th in assists (612). Black also is first all-time in career steal-to-turnover ratio and fourth in career steals per game (2.26). She was the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year with the Miami Sol in 2001. She finished her ABL career as the all-time leader in steals (330) and ranked second in assists (608) and was named 1997 ABL Defensive Player of the Year when she played for the Colorado Xplosion.

Black played college basketball under current Ohio State head coach Jim Foster at St. Joseph’s in Philadelphia. At St. Joe’s, Black joined fellow OSU assistant coach Kelley Meury to lead the Hawks to two Big 5 championships and an Atlantic 10 title. A native of Philadelphia, Black completed her collegiate career ranked as St. Joe’s all-time career leader in assists (718) and steals (572). A multi-sport athlete, Black earned 12 varsity letters in basketball, field hockey and softball. She reaped many awards on the court, including 1988 All-District and All-Atlantic 10 Conference First Team honors after being named second-team all-league in 1986 and to the All-Rookie team in 1985. She was inducted into the Philadelphia Big Five Hall of Fame in 1995, the St. Joseph’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 1994 and the St. Joseph’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000.

More information on “Debbie Black Day” can be accessed at www.wnba.com/sun.